One in five people in the UK will get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) at some point in their life. That’s not a scare tactic-it’s a fact from Public Health England’s latest data. Most of these infections don’t cause obvious symptoms, which means many people don’t know they’re infected until it’s too late. The good news? Almost all of the most common STIs are preventable, treatable, and often curable-if you know what to look for and how to protect yourself.
What Are the Most Common STIs Today?
The five most common STIs in the UK right now are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes (HSV), and human papillomavirus (HPV). These aren’t rare or distant threats. They’re happening in bedrooms, dating apps, and casual encounters across cities like Bristol, Manchester, and London.
Chlamydia is by far the most reported STI in the UK. In 2024, over 200,000 cases were diagnosed. It’s often symptom-free, especially in women. Left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, or chronic pain. It’s spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex-and you can catch it even if your partner doesn’t feel anything.
Gonorrhea is rising fast. Cases have more than doubled since 2010. Symptoms can include painful urination, unusual discharge, or bleeding between periods. But again, many people-especially women-show no signs. If untreated, it can damage reproductive organs and spread to the bloodstream, causing life-threatening complications.
Syphilis used to be rare. Now, it’s back. The number of cases has increased by over 300% in the last decade. It starts with a painless sore, often mistaken for a pimple or ingrown hair. Weeks later, a rash may appear. Without treatment, syphilis can attack the brain, heart, and nervous system years later.
Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) is extremely common. About 1 in 4 adults in the UK has HSV-2, the type usually linked to genital outbreaks. Many don’t know they have it because symptoms are mild or come and go. HSV-1, which causes cold sores, is now a leading cause of genital herpes due to oral sex. There’s no cure, but outbreaks can be managed.
HPV is the most common STI overall. Over 80% of sexually active people will get it at some point. Most types clear on their own, but high-risk strains can cause cervical, anal, throat, and penile cancers. The good news? The HPV vaccine prevents the cancer-causing strains-and it’s offered for free in the UK to teens and young adults.
How Are STIs Spread?
STIs spread through contact with infected bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluids, blood, or even skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. You don’t need penetration to catch one. Oral sex, sharing sex toys, or touching an infected sore and then your own genitals can pass on infections like herpes, syphilis, or HPV.
Condoms reduce risk-but they don’t eliminate it. Herpes and HPV can live on skin not covered by a condom. That’s why testing and vaccination matter just as much as protection.
How to Prevent STIs: Simple, Proven Steps
Preventing STIs isn’t about fear. It’s about smart habits. Here’s what works:
- Use condoms every time-vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Latex or polyurethane condoms are proven to block fluids carrying chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. For oral sex, use dental dams or cut-open condoms.
- Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine prevents 90% of HPV-related cancers. It’s free on the NHS for anyone under 25, and available privately for older adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended if you’re sexually active.
- Get tested regularly. If you’re under 25 and sexually active, get tested for chlamydia at least once a year-or every time you change partners. Testing is free, quick, and confidential. You can order a free home test kit from the NHS website or visit a sexual health clinic.
- Know your partner’s status. Don’t assume. Ask. If someone refuses to get tested, that’s a red flag. You have the right to protect yourself.
- Don’t share sex toys. If you do, clean them thoroughly or use a new condom on them each time. Cover them with a fresh condom before each use.
- Limit partners. The more partners you have, the higher your risk. Monogamy with a tested partner is one of the most effective ways to stay safe.
When and Where to Get Tested
You don’t need symptoms to get tested. In fact, waiting for symptoms means you might already have caused harm.
Free testing is available at:
- NHS sexual health clinics (also called GUM clinics)
- GP surgeries (many offer STI tests)
- Pharmacies with sexual health services
- Home test kits ordered online from the NHS
Tests are simple: a urine sample, a swab, or a blood test. Results come back in days. If you test positive, treatment is usually quick. Chlamydia and gonorrhea? A single antibiotic dose. Syphilis? A penicillin shot. Herpes and HPV? No cure, but medication and monitoring can stop outbreaks and prevent cancer.
Myths That Put People at Risk
Let’s clear up the lies:
- Myth: "I’m only with one person, so I’m safe." Truth: If your partner had a previous partner, you’re at risk. Testing is the only way to know.
- Myth: "I don’t have symptoms, so I don’t have an STI." Truth: Up to 70% of chlamydia cases and 50% of gonorrhea cases show no symptoms.
- Myth: "Condoms protect me 100%." Truth: They reduce risk dramatically, but not for skin-to-skin infections like herpes or HPV.
- Myth: "Only promiscuous people get STIs." Truth: Anyone who has sex can get one. It’s not about morality-it’s about biology.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat an STI?
Ignoring an STI doesn’t make it go away. It makes it worse.
Untreated chlamydia can scar fallopian tubes, leading to ectopic pregnancy or infertility. Gonorrhea can cause chronic pelvic pain and increase HIV risk by 3-5 times. Syphilis can lead to dementia, blindness, or heart failure decades after infection. HPV can silently grow into cancer-often without warning.
And here’s the hidden cost: you can pass it on without knowing. One person with an untreated STI can start a chain reaction through their partners, their partners’ partners, and so on.
What to Do If You Test Positive
First: breathe. Getting an STI doesn’t make you dirty, careless, or broken. It makes you human.
Next: tell your recent partners. It’s hard, but it’s necessary. Sexual health clinics can help you notify partners anonymously. Then: follow your treatment plan exactly. Don’t stop antibiotics early. Don’t have sex until your doctor says it’s safe.
After treatment, get retested. Some infections, like gonorrhea, are becoming resistant to antibiotics. You need to confirm it’s gone.
And finally: don’t stop protecting yourself. One infection doesn’t mean you’re doomed. It means you’re now more aware-and that’s a strength.
Final Thought: Prevention Is Power
STIs aren’t a punishment. They’re a public health issue-and we all have a role in fixing them. Getting tested isn’t shameful. Using condoms isn’t awkward. Talking to your partner isn’t rude. It’s responsibility.
The tools to stop the spread are here: vaccines, tests, treatments, and information. The only thing missing is action. Start today. Get tested. Talk openly. Protect yourself-and others.
